Keep the wheels rolling year-round

Students who are planning to play on a sports team when they return to school at the end of the summer shouldn't wait until a few weeks before the bell rings to begin training.

That's a message Dr. Darius K. Greenbacher, director of the sports medicine program at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, has for both the athletes and their parents.

"Athletes will have a better and safer experience with sports if they start with an adequate level of fitness. It is impossible to gain any substantial level of fitness in the two to three weeks of pre-season training," he said. "Pushing too hard in pre-season is one of the main contributors to significant health issues in sports such as hypothermia and dehydration."

He recommends keeping children and teens physically active in a fun and relaxed way throughout the summer to help the transition back into organized sports.
Sprains and strains are common injuries in the school-age athletes.

Though these types of injuries are part of playing sports, attention to good technique, solid conditioning, flexibility and balance training have been shown to decrease injury rates, Greenbacher noted, saying that once an injury occurs, active rehabilitation can return the athlete to play much quicker than rest alone.

Concussions are also common.

"It is essential for athletes to notify parents and coaches about any symptoms of a concussion," he emphasized. Headache, dizziness, mental fogginess, confusion are some of the common symptoms.

Continuing to play with a concussion often causes prolonged symptoms, he said, and in rare instances can be life-threatening.

Early care by a medical provider specially trained in sports concussion care is essential, he said.

According to Shayna M. Stoddard, head athletic trainer for the Baystate Franklin Medical Center sports medicine program, although some injuries are inevitable, much can be done to prevent them from getting worse.

"Listening to the body's signals and resting after even minor injuries goes a long way," she said." The sooner an athlete receives appropriate treatment from a trained professional, even if the recommendation is simply to rest, ice and do rehabilitation exercises, the sooner he or she is back in the game-on the field."

Addressing the role of safety gear in sports, Stoddard pointed out that in most sports, officials maintain strict policies that don't allow the athletes to participate if they are not wearing the necessary equipment.

"Coaches also play a critical role in ensuring that athletes are fitted properly for their safety gear and that they wear it appropriately," she said.

"Often, our young athletes are more concerned about how equipment looks or feels. As parents and coaches, we need to ensure that safety is first and foremost in equipment selection and use."

Greenbacher said among the most important elements to safety in sports are good, experienced coaches who dictate the focus of practices, games and team spirit.
"It is their responsibility to keep their athletes safe by encouraging safe play, proper technique, appropriate equipment and solid fitness training."

Parents need to support their children's coaches to make smart and safe decisions about the team and the athletes, he said.

During the early fall season, heat and lack of adequate conditioning are significant risk factors in sports.

Hypothermia (a dangerous increase in the body's core temperature) can be life threatening.

"It is important for athletes and coaches to slowly progress back into training, being mindful of the environmental conditions," Greenbacher said, emphasizing the importance of hydration.

"Fluid should be regularly consumed throughout practice. Players should also be given scheduled breaks to rest and allow their bodies to cool down," he said.

It is important to choose teams and leagues that match the athlete's expectations and experience level, Greenbacher said, calling upon parents to familiarize themselves with the coaches to make sure that both the sport and the team are a good fit for their son or daughter.

"It is essential to always keep in mind that the primary reason children and teens play sports is to have fun. This is often overlooked, which is a huge mistake," he said. "Participation, good sportsmanship, fitness and the joy of movement should be the primary focus for our children."